Summertime for college students can include a wide array of activities: a trip to the beach, getting a summer job, studying abroad, days of partying or even taking classes.

As the first day of the school year is quickly approaching, here is a look back at the summer that was, with highlights from the last few months in The Lantern.

Kroger reopening

The $10 million Kroger in the Short North opened July 26 after years of planning and implementing changes suggested by customers, including the addition of the Ohio State University BuckID as a form of payment. The building, which is connected to the sidewalk on High Street, now offers a sushi and salad bar, a bistro, a state liquor store and a wider selection of groceries.

Attempted kidnapping

On Aug. 3, Columbus and OSU Police arrested and charged a man in connection with abduction attempts at knifepoint near Cannon Drive. No injuries were reported. David Phillip Morris, the man charged, was held on bonds totaling $770,000. Morris was indicted on Aug. 12 on four felony counts, including counts of kidnapping with sexual motivation and attempted kidnapping, both of which carry repeat offender specifications. He was also charged on counts of abduction and aggravated robbery.

Obama’s visit to Columbus

One day after submitting the $447 billion American Jobs Act to Congress, President Barack Obama stopped in Columbus on Sept. 13 to continue his campaign trail to promote the benefits of the new bill. In front of an estimated crowd of 3,250 people, Obama spoke about his proposal, briefly outlining his plan to spend billions on rebuilding and modernizing schools, restructure the country’s unemployment insurance and provide tax cuts for small businesses and American families.

Terrelle Pryor drafted

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor’s professional career officially began Aug. 22 after his third-round selection in the NFL supplemental draft by the Oakland Raiders. Pryor, who was ruled eligible for the draft by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, joins former OSU cornerback Chimdi Chekwa in Oakland. Goodell also suspended Pryor from games and practices through week five of the NFL season for making decisions that undermined the integrity of the NFL draft, according to a NFL press release. While Pryor originally said he would not contest the suspension, he had a hearing Thursday to appeal the ban. Pryor officially left the university June 7.

Tressel “retired”

Aside from the self-imposed punishments issued by the school, Ohio State changed the terms in which former head coach Jim Tressel left the university. In a seven-page document released July 8 by OSU and signed by both Tressel and President E. Gordon Gee, the terms of Tressel’s departure were changed from resignation to retirement.

NCAA Ruling

Ohio State announced its decision to forfeit its share of the Big Ten’s payment for playing in the 2011 Sugar Bowl, athletic director Gene Smith said after OSU’s meeting with the NCAA Committee on infractions. The highly-anticipated meeting took place in the downtown Marriott in Indianapolis Aug. 12. In addition to forfeiting its $388,811 share in the Big Ten’s payment for the Sugar Bowl, OSU has already administered self-imposed penalties, which include vacating the 2010 season and Sugar Bowl victory and a two-year NCAA probationary term.